Bucks' Antetokounmpo on knee issues: 'I play too much'

Giannis Antetokounmpo stressed rest during All-Star weekend in Los Angeles and repeated a desire for more of the same this week in Milwaukee.

Idle until Friday, the All-Star forward has a good reason for wanting to put his feet up: a right knee that continues to flare up.

In an interview with Eurohoops TV, Antetokounmpo said doctors told him the issue is a lack of rest. Antetokounmpo is second in the NBA in minutes played at 37 per game.

"The problem is that I play too much," he said. "It's just that I have to rest more. This summer I had no time to rest. After the playoffs I went straight to the gym. I went to see (my younger brother) Kostas and practiced for about a week and a half with him. I didn't have any rest, and that's how, um ... the situation deteriorated. After this season I will have time to rest."

Antetokounmpo, who missed two games in January to manage his knee discomfort, did not put blame on the Bucks. He said the cumulative impact goes well beyond the regular season work of the NBA.

Since the coaching change from Jason Kidd to Joe Prunty, Antetokounmpo is averaging 35.4 minutes per game.

--Field Level Media